Kim Kardashian: 'Best Thing To Keep Is Your Independence'

Just two days before she announced her split from longtime boyfriend New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush, Kim Kardashian told PEOPLE about her house hunting – and her desire to live alone.

Kardashian, surrounded by her mom, Kris Jenner, and her sisters, Kourtney and Khloe, at the Hilton Hotel in Atlantic City, N.J., talked about how she and Bush had just looked at homes together the day before. "He hated the one that I loved," she said. "There is one that he loved and I know my mom is going to love. So I don't know. I just feel like I have lived in a condo and it's just time."

Perhaps most telling, she followed with a declaration: "I've always wanted to buy a big house myself and ... It is time for me to move. I wish my sisters could move in with me."

Asked if she planned to move in with Bush, she told PEOPLE, "I don't think I would ever live with someone unless I'm engaged. I'm really firm on that. I have done it before. I would tell all my friends, the best thing is to keep your independence. It feels really good to be able to buy a place by myself."

Later in the evening, Kardashian shared with the crowd how she met Bush. "Basically [stepdad Bruce Jenner] forced me to go to the ESPY's. [And] I hate sports. As we were walking to our seats after my mom conned me to to going, Matt [Leinart] called my name to say 'Hi' and he was sitting with Reggie. For about a year Reggie tried to get my number."

Her mom then interrupted, "So you owe that to me! I was the reason that you met Reggie Bush."